click zoom to display a high-res image
Property Location
| Location (Address) | 553 W JAMES ST |
|---|---|
| County | Columbia |
| City/Village | Columbus |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1867 |
|---|---|
| Additions | |
| Survey Date | 1996 |
| Historic Use | house |
| Architectural Style | Italianate |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Cream Brick |
| Architect | Richard D. Vanaken |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS. THE WINDOWS ON THE NORTH ELEVATION HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BRICKED IN; THERE IS A FREE STANDING SPIRAL STAIRCASE BEHIND THEM. FARNHAM SETTLED HERE IN 1846 AT THE AGE OF 25 WITH ONLY A PROMISSORY NOTE OF $50.00 IN HIS POCKET. HE TRADED THIS FOR MERCHANDISE IN MILWAUKEE AND SET UP SHOP IN FRONT OF A LOG CABIN OWNED BY FRIENDS. HE LATER RAN A COMMISSION STORE AND GRAIN SHIPPING BUSINESS WHICH HIS PARTNER J.F. ALLEN RAN WHILE HE PURSUED LUMBER INTERESTS IN "THE PINERIES". HE OWNED THE FARNHAM BLOCK IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS AS WELL AS A WAREHOUSE WITH A HORSE OPERATED ELEVATOR NEAR THE DEPOT. "Fred F. Farnham settled here in 1846. He was 25 when he reached Wisconsin with only a promissory note of $50.00 in his pocket. He traded this for merchandise in Milwaukee and set up his wares in the front of a log cabin owned by some friends. His business savvy resulted in a very successful commission store and grain shipping business which he let his partner (J.F. Allen) run while he pursued lumber interests in "The Pineries". Farnham built the three story 'Farnham Block' downtown. He also owned a warehouse with an elevator operated by a single horse near the original depot. This residence is a fine example of the early Italianate Style, typified by a symmetrical two-story mass with widely overhanging eaves and tall, narrow round-arched windows. Its simplicity and the absence of ornate brackets and window hoods mark it as an early building. The small, matching porches tucked to either side of the central projection are typical of the style, as are the decorative bay windows of the front and side. The windows on the north side have always been bricked-in, placed there to balance the windows on that side of the house. A free standing spiral staircase is behind them." Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
| Bibliographic References | COLUMBUS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURES TOURS, COLUMBUS HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION, 1994. City of Columbus Real Estate Tax Rolls. Columbus Democrat: November 19, 1868, p. 1; December 17, 1868, p. 1. Stare, Frederick A. The Story of Columbus. Installment Nos. 148 and 149 (pp. 222-225). Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Farnham, Fred and Lucia, House |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Jul 30, 2009 |
| State Register Listing Date | Apr 17, 2009 |
| Contributing |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
Questions?
Wondering about if your property is eligible or notice some information on this property needs to be updated, reach out today!
Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
